The goal of the project is to give Big Island homeowners who have been served with a foreclosure action the opportunity to participate in mediation with the lender and a trained mediator before the case is heard by a judge.

The war between Neil Abercrombie and Dan Inouye for control of the Democratic Party now focuses on a key battle over whether to raid the Rail Fund to patch Abercrombie’s artificially-inflated budget gap.

At the New York City Regional, students from Waialua High School earned the competition’s top honors by being named the Chairman’s Award winner in addition to winning the field competition, beating out an impressive field of 65 competitors. As the Regional Champions and Chairman’s Award winners, Waialua has earned a position at the World Championships in St. Louis.

When members of Minneapolis' Somali community realized their sons had disappeared and likely gone back to Africa to join a jihadist group, mosque leaders told them to keep quiet....

Pūnana Leo O Kawaiaha`o, a Hawaiian language medium preschool is working with the museum to present three separate displays focusing on the stories and legends of O`ahu’s oceans....

 “You may not use State time, equipment, or facilities, for private business purposes, including for-profit and not-for-profit corporations.” – HRS 84-13 (2).

The Senate had rejected requests for a "healthcare right of conscience" exception for SB 218 (Emergency Contraceptive) and passed the bill 22 to 3.  We are grateful to Senators Gabbard, Kochi and Slom for standing courageously to oppose SB218.  The bill has been referred to the House Health and Judiciary Committee for hearing.

Those interested in making a contribution to the Japan-Hawaii Relief Fund may do so at any First Hawaiian Bank branch through March 31, 2011.

County Police, Fire, Public Works and Environmental Management crews worked with State Highways, the American Red Cross and the county Office of Housing and Community Development to conduct preliminary damage assessments in the County of Hawai‘i today. Their findings include the following reports

Description: Amends provisions of the code relating to adoption records and the secrecy of proceedings and records, allowing access to adoption records....

To provide Employer contributions amounts for plan year 2010-2011 for Hawaii Employer Union Health Benefits Trust Fund health benefit plan premiums for the employees of collective bargaining units....

Fontaine, who represents South Maui, will have access to an exclusive bank hot line on behalf of constituents and other Maui homeowners who are having difficulties with their mortgage payments. BOA’s goal is to establish contact with the customer within one business day, and to provide a response the legislator’s office and to the borrower within 20 business days on the specific issues of the inquiry.

Board members oversee and administer the LFCP, the purpose of which is to reimburse -- to the extent provided by the Rules of the Hawaii Supreme Court -- losses caused by dishonest conduct of lawyers licensed to practice in Hawaii.

• Rep Fontaine and Riviere on HB845 Ground Leases
• Rep. Thielen on HB1176 HECO's Transmission Cable
• HB1435 Highway Safety Reps. Thielen, Ward and Ching
• Rep Ward in Opposition to HB1486 boat harbors
• Rep. Gene Ward on HB853 State Bank
• HB1457 Reps. Ward and Johanson on Higher Education
• Rep. George Fontaine Supports HB1640 Certificates of ID
• Rep Marumoto opposes DBED's surcharge tax HB782
• Reps. Riviere and Pine on HB 1411 - Mortgage Foreclosures
• Rep. Fontaine Opposes TAT Tax HB 795
• Reps. Ward and Pine Oppose Liquor Tax HB 840

The program will cover 80 percent of health expenses between $15,000 and $90,000, and was intended to encourage employers to maintain coverage for early retirees in the age group between 55 and 65....